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   YEAR IN REVIEW
   2011: We Need to Talk
   About This Year's Movies
   12/23/2011
   Screening log here 1/1/2012
   
7. Cine fact: Gambling in the movies
   One of cinema's most gut-wrenching and vivid gambling scenes must be the poker game in Guy Ritchie's 'Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels'. Shot with harsh, contrasting lighting you feel like you're watching a real gangster's poker match. No glamorous girls, or fine cocktails, just straight whiskey and cheap cigars. The typical gambling montage is given an exciting twist here with Ritchie employing sophisticated use of slow-motion and freeze framing, which gives the players motions an extra weight and coolness. Of course the whole location is quite grotty and most people would probably rather be playing at an online casino at home. So too would our protagonist, most likely. By the time he's been chewed up and spat out, he's been cheated out of almost $1,000,000, and then he proceeds to leave the club in sweaty delirium and vomit on the sidewalk. Let it be a lesson to you kids!